CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — A 22-year-old man is facing assault and related charges following an altercation at a Clarion Borough residence.

According to court documents, the Clarion Borough Police Department filed criminal charges against 22-year-old John Phillip Semmer, of Pittsburgh.

According to a criminal complaint, the Clarion Police Department was dispatched around 1:09 a.m. on September 3 for a report of a large fight at 48 South 8th Avenue, with Clarion University Police Department on the scene.

When Clarion Borough Police Officer Foust arrived on the scene, he was advised that the resident of 5 South 8th Avenue witnessed what occurred. The witness reported there were approximately eight people at the scene, and a white male punched a white female two times in the face. The witness explained that he chased the male around the back of his house. He described the male as stocky, short hair, and wearing a white t-shirt. The male attempted to jump over the resident’s black rail fence, and the resident attempted to hit the man with a mop. He said that the male ran south toward South Street, and everyone else ran, the complaint states.

The resident of 48 South 8th Avenue stated that a male (later indentifed as Semmer) showed up at the party, and he didn’t know him. He said that his friend was sucker punched by Semmer, and Semmer’s friend took him outside. He told Semmer to leave, and Semmer said to him, “You think you’re a tough guy?” He then told Semmer again to just leave, and turned to go back in his house when Semmer grabbed his shoulder, spun him around, and struck him twice on the right side of his face, according to the complaint.

The resident continued to report that he struck Semmer in the face, and Semmer fell to the ground. Semmer kicked him in the stomach area and was trying to get back up and kept hitting him. He struck Semmer on the face two times as he would not stop hitting him, the complaint states.

In the meantime, Clarion OES dispatched Officer Maxwell to 744 South Street for a medical call possibly involving the Greenville Avenue incident. Officers Foust and Maxwell responded to 744 South Street, the complaint indicates.

When officers arrived, a white male was kneeling on the gravel with a lot of blood on his face and head area. He was identified as John Phillip Semmer. Officers indicated that “Semmer kept saying he wanted a drink of water and kept asking them to help keep him alive.” His face was swollen and bruised. Semmer allegedly stated that he was drinking alcohol, and he appeared highly intoxicated. EMS transported him to the E.R., according to the complaint.

The complaint states that Officer Foust talked to personnel at the E.R. around 3:30 a.m., and he inquired if anyone was there for an assault, other than Semmer. The E.R. told him that there was a male there who was assaulted. The male patient received four stitches to his lip. He stated that he was at a party at 48 South 8th Avenue when someone came up to him and punched him two times in the face with a closed fist. He said that it happened so fast that he did not see who did it; however, his friends were in the E.R. waiting room.

The witnesses “described Semmer to a T.” They also stated that they heard the man’s name was John, the complaint continues.

Around 6:00 p.m. on September 3, Semmer was asked to come to the station for an interview. Semmer and his girlfriend arrived at the station at 6:40 p.m.

Semmer’s girlfriend was interviewed, and she stated that she and Semmer were at a party, and she went inside the house to make something to eat, and she heard a door slam. Semmer had left the party, and she did not know where he had gone. She said the next time that she saw him was at the E.R. When she was asked about Semmer striking her, she adamantly denied it, the complaint states.

During Semmer’s interview, he stated that he was sucker punched by a white male. He also stated that he struck the male back, but he did not know who the male was. He said that he doesn’t remember striking a female. He stated that he drank three Mike’s hard lemonade and he bought a $15.00 bottle of liquor and thinks maybe he drank most of it, the complaint indicates.

Clarion Borough Police discovered the name of the female victim and interviewed her around 6:00 p.m. on September 4. She stated that she went to a party with friends at her cousin’s house. She stated that her friend was sucker punched by the same white male who assaulted her.

Based on the investigation into the incident, Semmer was arraigned in Magisterial District Judge Duane L. Quinn’s office at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 21, on the following charges:

• Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2 (three counts)
• Harassment — Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary (three counts)
• Disorderly Conduct Engage In Fighting, Summary
• Public Drunkenness And Similar Misconduct, Summary
• Intoxicated Pedestrian Causing Hazard, Summary

He is free on $5,000.00 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. on October 3 with Judge Quinn presiding.